Des Idéologies et une Culture: La Signification Sociale des Bibliothèques Publiques

This article examines the influence ideologies, such as nationalism and neoliberalism, have on the development of public libraries in Québec. The history of these libraries reveals that the social tension created by the idealogies gave rise to several ambiguities concerning libraries, their mission, accountability, and financial resource. The cultural policies of the provincial government maintained these ambiguities and libraries now face a legal void and financial uncertainty.